Undoubtedly, one of the most exciting classes of cars is Gran Turismo (or, in English, Grand Touring.) back in the mid-20th century, barely any car manufacturer could rival Ferrari’s masterpieces. As other companies began to create GT cars that were on par with their Italian nemesis, it got harder to recite Ferrari’s GT models as the number one in their category. However, the Ferrari Roma is here to reclaim the throne.

Among its famous rivals, such as the Aston Martin DB11 and the Jaguar F Type, the Bentley Continental GT has a lot to say to face the Italian horse. Both the Ferrari Roma and the Bentley Continental GT come with great qualities, both in terms of performance and comfort. By no means are these two anything less than lovely to drive.

Without further ado, let’s see if Bentley’s innovation in the Continental GT can outperform the legacy that comes with the Ferrari Roma.

RELATED: Here's How The Aston Martin DB11 Compares With The Bentley Continental GT

Ferrari Roma Marks The Rebirth Of The Company’s Grand Touring Spirit

Ferrari Roma Front View
Via Ferrari

Ferrari’s history and reputation in making jaw-dropping GT cars are undeniable. However, in recent years, the spirit started to fade away a little. Some car enthusiasts would argue that Ferrari’s overemphasis on performance on the track robbed the other components required for Grand Touring from their cars: criteria like comfort, innovation, and luxury.

Folks at Ferrari tried to recreate the same-old elegant sensation that used to be in their successful cars with the Roma, and to say they absolutely delivered wouldn’t be an overstatement. Thanks to the Roma, the Italian idea of La Nuova Dolce Vita, which translates to “The New Sweet Life", is genuinely resurrected.

What makes Roma worthy of such credit mainly has to do with its innovative and progressive design. Although the Ferrari heritage is embedded in every curve and line of the Roma, it dominantly represents the company's future than its past. Thanks to the remarkable work of Ferrari’s design director, Flavio Manzoni, the Roma distinctively stands aside from the rest of the company’s recent creations. As Ferrari itself would put it, the Roma is ‘an F1 car in evening attire.’

At the same time, the Roma is intended to be, for lack of a better word, a more “accessible” Ferrari and bring new customers to the Ferrari community. This might lead you to think the V8 mounted under the Roma’s hood is something less of an unholy reaper ready to finish off any car who dares to challenge it, and that would not be further from the truth.

RELATED: These Features Make The Bentley Continental GT The Coolest Grand Tourer On Sale

Performance Battle: Can The Roma Beat The Continental GT?

Bentley 2022 Continental GT
via Bentley

The Bentley Continental GT comes with two engine variations; an iconic W12 and a V8. The Ferrari Roma, on the other hand, only offers a V8 engine. Comparing the V8s in both, the Roma easily beats the Continental GT, even though the Roma’s V8 has a smaller capacity. Ferrari’s V8 in the Roma produces 611 horsepower and can go from idle to 60 mph in no more than 3.4 seconds. The V8 in the Continental GT produces 61 ponies less (550 hp) and sprints from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds. The Roma can go two mph faster than the Continental GT and reach 200 mph in terms of top speed.

Surprisingly enough, the Roma’s V8 can still hold itself against the Continental GT’s W12. The bulky 6.0 L W12 in the Continental GT can boast 626 horsepower, which is 15 ponies more than its Italian rival. And in terms of top speed, it outperforms the Roma by seven mph, reaching 207 mph. However, it is 0.2 seconds slower in 0-60 compared to the Roma. The W12 in Continental GT slightly outperforms Ferrari’s V8. Both cars come with 8-speed automatic transmission systems.

RELATED: Here’s How The Bentley Continental GT Evolved Over The Years

Driving Experience And Interior: Amazing Cars With Elegant Interiors

Ferrari Roma Interior
Via Ferrari

Both Ferrari and Bentley have a reputation for making elegant, top-notch cars with excellent driving experience. But the differences in design heritage and each company’s approach is visible.

The Ferrari Roma is a relatively smaller car. This compactness helps amplify the sense of connectedness between the driver and the road. The Roma’s dual-cockpit design that originated in classic Ferrari GT cars gives the interior a satisfying, symmetrical design.

Bentley Continental GT Convertible Interior
Via Bentley Motors

On the other hand, the Continental GT has a thoroughly different approach in terms of design and interior. The Roma is flexible and dignified, but the Continental GT is bulky and sharp-cornered. The Continental offers more raw seating capacity, and the interior is more spacious. But this bulkiness makes the driving experience a little less thrilling than that of the Roma. However, the Continental GT’s interior is on par with the Roma’s in terms of stylishness and elegance.

It is not easy to choose one over the other as the winner. If the rejuvenated GT spirit, the compactness, and the sportier driving experience are more appealing to you, perhaps the Ferrari Roma is the Grand Touring car for you. However, if the sound of a W12 along with a spacious interior is what you’re looking for, then the Bentley Continental GT is the car that can satisfy your desires.